Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk Russia on May 7th 1840. His family were relatively well off and the young Tchaikovsky showed promise in both music and languages from a very early age. It has been reported that Tchaikovsky could read music adeptly from the age of just 8 years old. He began taking piano lessons at the age of 5 and it is said that he told his parents that he was kept awake at night by music flowing through his mind. Tchaikovsky’s mother died of cholera when he was 14 years old and it is said he never got over losing his mother.

At the age of 10 Tchaikovsky was sent to the School of Jurisprudence to prepare him for a career in the civil service, his family did not full realize the extent of his musical talent. He did not study music in any serious way while at school but after his graduation in 1859 he started to study music more seriously. Tchaikovsky began taking lessons at the St Petersburg Conservatory in 1862 and in 1863 he resigned from his job at the Ministry of Justice.

Now free to pursue his main passion Tchaikovsky threw himself into the study of his beloved music. His mentor was the founder and director of the St Petersburg Conservatory, Anton Rubenstein. Rubenstein taught Tchaikovsky composition and instrumentation and Tchaikovsky graduated from the conservatory in December 1865.

Tchaikovsky began to complete several notable compositions between 1865 and 1892 and on October 25th 1875 his third symphony premiered in Boston. His works were notable for their melodic qualities and Tchaikovsky is considered to be the master composer for classical ballet. During this time he composed some of his most well loved works - Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. As his reputation as a composer began to grow in Europe he entered into an ill-fated marriage that only lasted for 9 weeks.

Tchaikovsky never got over the loss of his mother and suffered much emotional turmoil throughout his life. Although his private life was troubled he continued to enjoy great success professionally and travelled to many places. In 1891 he toured America conducting his works but conducting was never something he felt comfortable doing. Pathetique, Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony received its premiere in October 1893 but was initially met with a lukewarm reception. Eventually the piece received much greater acclaim.

Tchaikovsky died from cholera it is believed he contracted it after drinking contaminated water. He died in St Petersburg on November the 6th 1893. Tchaikovsky would never know that his symphony Pathetique would go on to receive great success as his death came only one week after its premiere.